This book is one hot mess. I have seldom met a cast of characters I liked less than this one. From the first few pages the angst literally dripped off the pages and I didn't like Nicole almost from the moment I met her. Her reaction when her past has finally found her out is unbelievable. I enjoyed the audio by Imogen Wilde, but even her excellent narration couldn't overcome the whiplash I got from the dueling timelines and POVs. Following everything on audio was a problem for me.

Nicole is living a normal, suburban lifestyle with an adoring husband, Brad, and eight-year-old daughter, Hannah, when a knock on her door changes her life and drags her into a past she had long ago shut the door on. While still reeling from the appearance of Zoe, a free-lancer doing a story on the tragic British boy band from the 80's, “Secret Oktober”, Nicole finds out her daughter has been taken from her school by a stranger claiming to be her aunt.

From there the story travels back in time to the 80's and the part Nicole, her sister, Cassie, the boys from the band, Michael and Ben, and the other groupies and hangers on had in the tragic downfall of the group and what really happened.
3 1/2-Stars

My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary audio Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

Narrator for this book was very good. She has an English accent, but is easy to understand. The flaw is that her voice doesn't change enough for the different characters. There are two timelines and the present day timeline is told in Nicole's voice and the past timeline is told in Cassie's, but they sound exactly the same. I think I would have liked just a slight difference between the two. Maybe Cassie's a little more high pitched as she was younger (16 but acted about 13). Overall, the narrator was good though.

However, the plot of this book itself was a bit out there and disconnected. Nicole in the present is hiding something. But we don't know what, her husband doesn't know what and it seems it's something big. We eventually find out, but it wasn't worth the wait. Cassie in the past is a fan of Britain's biggest band. She (and thousands of other girls) are in love with one of the band members and somehow she sneaks in and parties with him. She decides that they are soulmates and then is *gasp* shocked when he doesn't remember her.

The book overall is forgetable and all over the place, but the audio was good.

Audiobook Review:

I Would Die For You by Sandie Jones
My rating:
3/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was my second book by the author and overall I enjoyed it, but it lost me at the ending. Beware…definitely a cliffhanger ending that will have you confused and frustrated!

This was a fun ride and it really started to get good in the second half of the story.

I enjoyed the narration and overall pace of the story. There were times that I had to pay close attention with the dual timelines and POVS, but it was a super fun one once all the pieces came together (besides one at the end)

Overall, I would recommend this story especially because I need to talk to someone about that ending! It was a 4 star from me right until the ending, as I have stated that I needed a little more closure.

Thank you netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC! This will be published on March 25, so add it to your TBR now!

I Would Die For You - Sandie Jones
Pub Date - 3/25/25
Rating - 2/5
Thoughts - Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for this gifted advanced reader audio in exchange for my honest review. This book started out so strong and had me heavily invested. The first half was well thought out and I was hoping for a twist....that never came. The ending was very predictable and there was absolutely no "big reveal" I have come to expect as a mystery/thriller reader. In fact, when the book ended, I had to rewind thinking...."wait that's it?". The abruptness of the ending did the book no favors. The narrator was great- her voices, tone, and storytelling was very well done, it was just the story that didn't quite do it for me.

Overall, it was fine.

Right off the bat I was captured by the premise of this book, and with a dual timeline. I related, as of course I would, to the 1986 timeline. It wasn't as easy to follow the back and forth on audio, but I thought it worked well for the story. The characters didn't go deep, however, and the story seemed to lag and trail off at times to me. I was not especially anxious to find out what happened next for any particular one of them. Young people behaving badly, and then the trend continues even after Nicole tries to escape her past to the United States.
There were some unexpected twists near the end, but it all seemed a little far-fetched. Overall, a quick listen of a domestic thriller for your weekend. The narrator did a great job, at least with the British accents.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARL. All opinions are mine.

I throroughly enjoyed this book. I feel like at times, it had very predictable elements. However, that did not take away my enjoyment of the overall book! Sometimes the timelines were a little confusing and I had to restart the chapter to figure out when and where we were. The narrators of the audiobook were so much fun to listen to!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ARC of this audio in exchange for my honest review.

What a ride!!! The ending left me wanting a bit more and feeling a little unsatisfied, but I still think you should give this one a go. Do keep in mind that the narration is all over the place. This was my first audiobook like that, throwing me off at first. I appreciated that the story was unique with so many twists!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the copies to review.

I enjoyed I Would Die For You by Sandie Jones, and you do have to suspend a bit of belief with this one but if you can do so then it will be fine. The audio was enjoyable and easy to follow the two timelines without having the ebook handy. Once this got going I was vested in the story and it is a fairly quick read that I finished in a few hours.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc/alc.

This was a decent thriller. With that being said, I don't think it will make my list of best thrillers of 2025, though I still enjoyed it. I also have to say that I thought the first half of the book was better than the second half of the book. I enjoyed the audiobook narrator, Imogen Wilde as well and I thought her voice was pleasant. I can't quite put my finger on what I did not enjoy about the book, but I guess I might have to say some parts of the story were kind of too slow-moving for me. With that being said, I would still be open to reading more books by Sandie Jones in the future.

3.5 stars

Tomorrow is the release day Sandie Jones‘s new thriller, I Would Die for You. Bouncing between 1986 and 2011, it follows two sisters and their involvement with a wildly popular band… and the repercussions haunting one of them 25 years later.

Why I Chose This Book:
I first heard about this book in the Minotaur Sampler that came out a few months ago. A recurring theme for me is how much I love music in books, and that was, of course, what first drew me to I Would Die for You. (The title reminding me of “#1 Crush” by Garbage helps, too!) Here, the music in question comes from a 1986 band—Secret Oktober—who all the teens love, their groupies and collaborators, and their shocking end. I also liked the element of sister relationships in this book, problematic as their dynamic is.

What I Liked:
- Rock band, songwriting, and celebrity scene. While I love reading about artists writing and performing music, in this book, we see more of the drama and toxicity of celebrity. Fame and addiction, groupies and scandals, a band that’s rather dysfunctional behind the scenes… The only parts really about the music itself are when Nicole and Ben work on a song together. The rest is worthy of gossip magazines and is, in fact, the fuel behind all that goes wrong with the band.
- Lies, manipulation, and evil doings! From the beginning, you know there are some secrets and some bad endings for certain characters. But how it all goes down… wow! Horrible people doing horrible things!
- Unlikable characters! Speaking of horrible goings-on, some of these characters only get worse with each passing chapter. Some are downright awful people. I’m glad I don’t know anyone like this in real life.
- Dual timeline (1986 and 2011). Nicole has a husband, a young daughter, and a successful career, but her past is starting to catch up with her. Half of the book takes place in 1986, when she and her sister Cassie were grappling with their mother’s rapid health decline. Somehow, the lead singer from Secret Oktober got mixed up in all of this, and Nicole is still paying the consequences. But what really happened? And is Nicole (not to mention her daughter) in danger?

What Didn’t Work for Me:
- The ending was so abrupt! I liked the ending overall, but it left me wanting more time to wrap it up further.

Audiobook:
Imogen Wilde does a great job of narrating I Would Die for You. She captures Nicole’s voice well in the 2011 chapters, and does both sisters justice in the 1986 parts. Her narration kept my attention all the way through and made the story more engrossing. Her American accent, however, could use a bit more finessing.

If you like the dark scandals of celebrity life and potentially unlikable characters, I Would Die for You is a fun and thrilling read. You may want to check content warnings before reading, and it certainly won’t be for everyone. But I enjoyed this novel! It was my first time reading Sandie Jones and I look forward to checking out more of her books.

I Would Die for You by Sandie Jones
Thriller. Dual time line past (late 1980’s) present (2011).
2011 - Nicole Forbes lives an unassuming life in Coronado, CA with her daughter and husband. Unexpectedly a woman knocks on the door and asks Nicole for an interview about her knowledge of the famous boy band and the death of one of the members in 1986. Nicole is shocked. She doesn’t talk to anyone about her past and refuses to answer any questions. Later that day, her daughter doesn’t get off the bus as usual. An “aunt” has picked up her up and there is a record at the school that it was prearranged a week prior. There isn’t such a relative.
1986 - Secret Oktober has exploded onto the music scene and fans are obsessed with the band and trying to get access to the outrageous backstage parties filled with liquor, drugs and sex. Thousands of young women are obsessed with the band, following them everywhere. Sixteen year old Cassie hooks up with another girl that seems to know where the band will be next and get them in the doors.

From each time jump, there is a little more revealed of the famous men, the fans, and consequences of obsession.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook which is narrated by Imogene Wilde. The performance is chilling and will keep you on the edge. The tempo is smooth as the twists keep coming and the emotions of sorrow, and horror can’t be denied.
I always try to read and listen at the same time. It allows me to catch the nuisances I may have otherwise missed. Both formats here are equally explosive.
I listened between 1.5 and 1.75 with 1.5 being the preferred to match my reading and conversation speed.

Utterly absorbing as the twists keeps me reassessing both what actually happened and what that means in the current timeline. The overindulgence of the 80’s? Fame? Innocence and manipulation mixed with delusion?

Incredible suspense and thrills.
Not sure I loved the ending.

I was gifted a copy from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio

A dual timeline domestic suspense novel about a former band member with dark secrets. This was okay on audio and had some moving moments but overall it was just an okay read for me. I wasn't pulled into this story like I wanted to be and found the ending a bit of a let down. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 ⭐️- This was an interesting read. Per usual, I listened to the audiobook. I enjoyed it, but it felt like it was missing something. I also found myself kind of annoyed at certain parts of the book with various relationships/interactions - granted I think that was purposeful on the authors part. I would still recommend this read, but I wouldn’t say it is my favorite Sandie Jones novel.

Thank you NetGalley! I loved this book! It drew me in right from the beginning. I did not see the twists coming until they were happening.

This dual timeline story fell flat for me even though there were quite a few twists in the story. I thought the parts about Hannah's aunt picking her up from school were crazy and I guess that is where I started to not really like the book with how unrealistic that is. A school would never take a phone call to change who was picking up the child and if they do, that is a huge red flag. The characters were a little hard to keep up with in the dual timelines.

Sandie Jones delivers a gripping psychological thriller in I Would Die for You, a novel that masterfully weaves suspense, intrigue, and emotional depth. From the very first page, the tension builds as readers are drawn into a mystery filled with twists and turns, leaving them questioning who can truly be trusted.

The narrative structure skillfully shifts between past and present, allowing readers to gather crucial clues while maintaining an air of uncertainty. This back-and-forth storytelling enhances the suspense, keeping readers engaged as they attempt to piece together the truth. Jones excels at crafting complex characters whose motivations and secrets unravel gradually, adding to the novel’s unpredictability.

At the heart of the story is the question of a child’s safety—a deeply emotional and high-stakes element that intensifies the novel’s psychological tension. As suspicions rise and the truth remains elusive, the reader is kept on edge, making this a book that’s hard to put down.

Jones’ writing is crisp, immersive, and perfectly paced, ensuring that every revelation lands with impact. I Would Die for You is an electrifying read that will appeal to fans of domestic thrillers and psychological suspense. With its expertly executed twists and a compelling mystery, this novel proves once again why Sandie Jones is a master of the genre.

“‘You can’t force someone to love you,’ barks Nicole. ‘Well, then she’s going to die trying,’ says Amelia, turning to walk away.”

Told in dual timelines, this one took a little while for me to get invested in. But once I did I just HAD to know what happened. Ugh. So stressful. I read the last 1/4 with lightening speed.

And omg I wanted to stick my hands inside this story and strangle Cassie. UGHHH. This book left me feeling angry and sooo annoyed but in a good way. I think haha. It is certainly one I won’t soon forget.

The accent of the audiobook narrator is GOLD. This was a very enjoyable and addictive listen.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for the ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Good book, but did not care for the ending. At… All….

We have two different timelines. 1986 and 2011.
We have two sisters.
We have a Mom and Dad. The Mom is sick. She was a groupie when she was younger… so when her youngest daughter (Cassie) is LOVING the new boy band Secret Oktoberfest, she’s all in…
Until she gets really sick….
So she can’t go to the concerts with her…

Her older daughter, Nicole, loves to sing and write songs…
So, when Ben, the hot guy from the band, finds her singing at a local venue….well, it’s an instant attraction.
Unfortunately Cassie has a huge crush on Ben, too!

When we fast forward to 2011, Nicole is married with a little girl.

And then one day her little girl is kidnapped…

We go back and forth between both timelines, continually.

And, little pieces of the puzzle are revealed each time.

But the end? What. The. Heck????
That was NOT OK!!!

#IWouldDieForYou by #SandieJones and narrated nicely by #ImogenWilde.

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!!
Probably would’ve been 4 if the ending was a little better…. Just very disappointed…

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** Release date is March 25, 2025 so look 👀 for it on shelves soon !! ***

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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new novel by Sandie Jones, with the audio perfectly narrated by a favorite, Imogen Wilde. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

California, 2011: Nicole Forbes lives a quiet life with her husband and daughter. She is not prepared for a writer to knock on her door asking for details into the downfall of the biggest British band of the 1980s. Then the same day, her daughter goes missing from school. Convinced that the two events are linked, Nicole must face her past to protect her family.

London, 1986: Sixteen-year-old Cassie is obsessed with Secret Oktober, the hottest band of the moment, and has an intense crush on the leading man, Ben Edwards. But when Ben discovers her older sister, Nicole, singing at a local bar, he is immediately drawn to her.

I’m a fan of Sandie Jones and enjoyed this book and its nostalgic look into the 80s music scene. Plus, there are lots of secrets that Nicole has kept from her husband, including why she doesn’t speak to her family. Told in these alternating timelines, I found myself wanting to just tell Nicole to be honest with her husband! I couldn’t gather a real connection to the characters, but I enjoyed the mystery of exactly what happened in the past.

This novel was intense throughout. There weren’t any lighthearted moments to break things up and there are a lot of unknowns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The story goes back and forth between two time frames so that there are pieces of the past being exposed in order to explain the present circumstances. Only one of the characters is sort-of likable while others are extreme personalities that range from delusional to psychotic. I listened to this audiobook over two days because I needed to see how things turned out.

The twists were well done but I don’t feel the last one was really necessary. It’s meant to be a cliffhanger ending, but I think it’s easy to know what would really happen - especially since the year was 2011.

The narrator was kind of difficult to listen to because her English/British accent was so strong. The pronunciation of words, including if vowels were long or short and the stress on syllables, was so different than Mid-West American English that I found myself distracted from the story.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MacMillanAudio for an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for honest feedback. - 4 stars